Antenna lattice for single-panel full-duplex satellite user terminals

ABSTRACT

A full-duplex User Terminal Panel (UTP) including one or more User Terminal Modules (UT M) having a plurality of Tx antenna elements. Each of the Tx antenna elements spaced apart from one another by a distance dTx. The full-duplex UTP further includes a plurality of Rx antenna elements. Each of the Rx antenna elements are spaced apart from one another by a distance dRx. Furthermore, the Tx antenna elements may be spaced according to a Tx lattice dTx, such that the Tx lattice dTx spacing arrangement provides grating lobe-free scanning in an elevation plane at a Tx frequency range. The Rx antenna elements are spaced according to an Rx lattice dRx, such that the Rx lattice dRx spacing arrangement provides grating lobe-free scanning in an elevation plane at a Rx frequency range.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the disclosure are related to the field of full-duplexbeam-scanning antenna systems, and, more particularly, to latticeconfiguration of the antenna elements.

BACKGROUND

The wireless revolution has resulted in ever-increasing demands on ourlimited wireless spectrum. Enabling full-duplex satellite communicationsfrom a single panel for transmitting and receiving, as compared to dualaperture full-duplex or half-duplex panels, promises to improve the useof the limited wireless spectrum, and increase satellite communicationsthroughput while maintaining the same antenna footprint. As used herein,the term single-panel full-duplex describes simultaneous datatransmission and reception from a single aperture. In other words, afull-duplex single-panel antenna system is capable of simultaneousbi-directional data transmissions from the same physical aperture.Dual-panel full-duplex antenna system is capable of simultaneousbi-directional data transmissions from two separate apertures: Txaperture and Rx aperture. Half-duplex devices can only transmit in onedirection at a time, where data can move in two directions, but not atthe same time. Furthermore, scanning a beam for a range of elevationangles introduces different geometrical requirements for Tx and Rxportions of the antenna element lattice (grid). Meeting the performancerequirements of radiating in the Tx and Rx frequency ranges as well aspermitting the scanning in both Tx and Rx frequencies enables a reliableoperation of full-duplex communication.

When in receive mode, a single-panel full-duplex antenna system’s G/T isone of the most important figures of merit. G is the gain of the antennasystem and T is the system noise temperature. The higher the G/T, thebetter the sensitivity of the system.

When in transmit mode, a single-panel full-duplex antenna system’seffective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) is one of the most importantfigures of merit. EIRP is the total power in watts (or dBW, dBm, etc.)equivalent to an amount of power that has to be radiated by a(theoretical) isotropic antenna to give the same radiation intensity.EIRP is specified and measured in the direction of the antenna’s mainbeam and helps in determining the number of antenna elements required,given a certain radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) conductedoutput power.

Polarization of an antenna system in a given direction is defined as thepolarization of the wave transmitted or radiated by the antenna system.Polarization of a radiated wave is defined as the property of anelectromagnetic (EM) wave describing the time-varying direction andrelative magnitude of the electric field vector; specifically the figuretraced as a function of time by the end point of the field vector at afixed location in space, and the sense in which it is traced, asobserved along the direction of propagation. Common polarizations usedare circular polarization (CP) and linear polarization (LP). Examples ofCP are: right-hand CP (RHCP), and left-hand CP (LHCP); wherein RHCP andLHCP are orthogonal polarizations. Examples of LP are: vertical LP andhorizontal LP; wherein vertical LP and horizontal LP are orthogonalpolarizations. For a receiving antenna to be able to capture the entireradiation incident on it from a transmitting antenna, the radiation andreceiving antenna must have the same polarization.

Polarization control is the ability to change the polarization of theantenna system through control of an RF signal (amplitude and phase) oftwo or more RFIC channels connected to an antenna element through two ormore antenna ports of the antenna element. Other means of polarizationcontrol may include the use of an RF switch.

Fixed LP and CP may be implemented through the use of a single antennaport connected to a single RFIC channel. Other fixed CP may beimplemented through connecting two antenna ports to a single RFICchannel through a microwave circuit such as a 90 degrees hybrid (orquadrature hybrid), ring hybrid, Wilkinson power divider, or aT-junction power divider.

Scanning an antenna beam is when the main beam of an antenna can beadjusted to point in a desirable direction, such as an Elevation angleof 45 degrees. By controlling the phases at the individual antennaelement level through an RFIC, one can steer the beam of a phased arrayantenna such as the beam of a Tx antenna and/or an Rx antenna of afull-duplex single-panel. Typical applications require a scanning rangein the elevation plane, as an example an Elevation range of 50 degree,starting with an Elevation angle of 90 degrees (directly above, orpointing to sky) to an Elevation angle of 40 degrees. Furthermore, it isassumed that the scanning range covers a full Azimuth range of 0 degreesto 360 degrees.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a full-duplex User Terminal Panel (UTP) includesone or more User Terminal Modules (UTM)s. Each of the UTMs may includetwo or more unit cells. Each of the each unit cell may include atransmit (Tx) antenna element having a plurality of Tx antenna elementport, and a receive (Rx) antenna element having a plurality of Rxantenna element ports. A center of a first Tx antenna element of a firstunit cell has a distance x to a center of a first Tx antenna element ofa second unit cell. Each of the Tx antenna elements transmit via a firstfrequency range, and each of the Rx antenna elements receive via asecond frequency range. The first frequency range is different than thesecond frequency range. A center of a first Rx antenna element of thefirst unit cell has a same distance (e.g., equidistant) to a center of afirst Rx antenna element of the second unit cell. The distance x is avalue such that a grating lobe-free scanning in an elevation plane atthe second frequency range is achieved. Each of the UTMs may alsoinclude at least one Tx radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal. The Tx RFICincludes one or more Tx channels that are connected individually to oneof the plurality of Tx antenna element ports. Each of the UTMs may alsoinclude at least one Rx RFIC configured to receive an RF signal. The RxRFIC includes one or more Rx channels that are connected individually toone of the plurality of Rx antenna element ports.

In some embodiments, a full-duplex User Terminal Panel (UTP) includesone or more User Terminal Modules (UTM)s, each UTM having a plurality ofTx antenna elements. Each of the Tx antenna elements spaced apart fromone another by a distance dTx. The full-duplex UTP further includes aplurality of Rx antenna elements. Each of the Rx antenna elements arespaced apart from one another by a distance dRx. The distance dRx isgreater than the distance dTx. Furthermore, the Tx antenna elements arespaced according to a Tx lattice dTx, such that the Tx lattice dTxspacing arrangement provides grating lobe-free scanning in an elevationplane at a Tx frequency range. The Rx antenna elements are spacedaccording to an Rx lattice dRx, such that the Rx lattice dRx spacingarrangement provides grating lobe-free scanning in an elevation plane ata Rx frequency range. The full-duplex UTP further includes one or moreTx radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) and one or more Rx RFICconfigured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal and receive an RFsignal, respectively. The Tx RFIC includes one or more Tx channels andthe Rx RFIC includes one or more Rx channels, such that each of the Txchannels are connected individually to one of the plurality of Txantenna element ports and each of the Rx channels are connectedindividually to one of the plurality of Rx antenna element ports.

In some embodiments, a full-duplex User Terminal Panel (UTP) includesone or more UTMs. Each of the UTMs are configured with 4 sub-UTMs. Eachsub-UTM has a plurality of Tx antenna elements that are spaced apartfrom one another by a distance dTx. Each sub-UTM has a plurality of Rxantenna elements that are spaced apart from one another by a distancedRx, where the distance dRx is greater than the distance dTx. The Txantenna elements are spaced according to a Tx lattice dTx, and the Rxantenna elements are spaced according to an Rx lattice dRx. The Txlattice dTx spacing arrangement provides grating lobe-free scanning inan elevation plane at a Tx frequency. The Rx lattice dRx spacingarrangement provides grating lobe-free scanning in an elevation plane ata Rx frequency. Each UTM may include at least one Tx radio frequencyintegrated circuit (RFIC) configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF)signal. The Tx RFIC includes one or more Tx channels that are connectedindividually to one of the plurality of Tx antenna element ports. EachUTM may include at least one Rx RFIC configured to receive an RF signal.The Rx RFIC may include one or more Rx channels that are connectedindividually to one of the plurality of Rx antenna element ports. Thesub-UTMs are configured in a quadrant such that each sub-UTM is rotated90 degrees from each other in a clockwise manner.

One or more embodiments described herein, among other benefits, solveone or more of the foregoing problems in the art by providingsingle-panel full-duplex antenna systems, and lattice configuration thatenables the simultaneous Rx and Tx operation of the antenna system,including beam scanning.

In one embodiment, a single-panel antenna system includes a plurality ofUser Terminal Modules (UTMs) comprised of sequentially rotated (SQR)sub-UTMs, the smallest repeating structure that is configured for bothTx and Rx antenna lattice. The SQR configuration is key to achieving animportant key performance metric called the Axial Ratio (AR) of thesingle-panel full-duplex antenna system. A good AR ensures that theantenna system maintains polarization purity and is therefore capable ofachieving communication at a maximum allowable data rate.

The example single-panel full-duplex antenna system also includes amultilayered Printed Circuit Board (PCB) which contains RF routing fromthe Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC) to the antennas, digitalrouting for the RFICs and power routing for the RFICs on the UTM.

In some embodiments, a full-duplex single-panel antenna system utilizesa plurality of full-duplex antenna elements. A full-duplex antennaelement comprises a Tx antenna element and an Rx antenna element. Inother embodiments, a full-duplex antenna element comprises a wide bandantenna element that covers a Tx frequency band and an Rx frequencyband, two or more antenna ports; wherein at least one of the two or moreantenna ports is used for the Tx frequency operation and at least one ofthe two or more antenna ports is used for the Rx frequency operation.

In some embodiments, a full-duplex single panel user terminal isreferred to as a flat panel antenna (FPA).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features can be obtained, a more particular descriptionis set forth and will be rendered by reference to specific examplesthereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understandingthat these drawings depict only typical examples and are not thereforeto be considered to be limiting of its scope, implementations will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a general overview of a full-duplex communicationbetween a full-duplex single-panel user terminal and a satellite,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram illustrating a full-duplex single-paneluser terminal for use in full-duplex communication, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 3A depicts a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) 300a with an input and anoutput, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3B is a graph illustrating the relationship between the poweroutput of an LNA and the power input of the LNA, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the RF power vs. Frequency, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating the RF power and Noise floor vs.Frequency, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6C depict block diagrams illustrating the single-panelfull-duplex user terminal for use in full-duplex communication,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B contrasts the full-duplex dual-aperture antennapanel against the full-duplex single-aperture antenna panel, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates the area projected by a UTP with respect to asatellite location, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating antenna spacing requirement for having agrating lobe-free region, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10 shows an example graph illustrating the effect of a grating lobeon the full-duplex antenna system scan performance, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 11A illustrates top views of several configurations of antennalattice used by full-duplex antenna systems, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 11B illustrates cross-sectional views of several configurations ofantenna lattice used by full-duplex antenna systems, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of the Transmit (Tx) Radio FrequencyIntegrated Circuit (RFIC), Receive (Rx) RFIC as well as Full-DuplexAntenna Element, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating S-parameters vs. frequency of afull-duplex antenna element, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating realized gain vs. frequency of afull-duplex antenna element, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating S-parameters vs. frequency of afull-duplex antenna element utilizing filters, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 16 depicts an example lattice configuration of a full-duplexantenna element, optimized for scanning in the Tx frequency, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 17 depicts an example lattice configuration of a full-duplexantenna element, optimized for scanning in the Rx frequency, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 18 depicts an example lattice configuration of a full-duplexantenna element, optimized for scanning in the Rx frequency, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 19A depicts a full-duplex antenna element showing a keepout region,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 19B illustrates the height of the PCB of the full-duplex antennaelement, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 20 is a graph illustrating the effect of the keepout region andport orthogonality, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 21 depicts the Electric Field intensity of a full-duplex antennaelement, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 22 is a graph illustrating the S-parameters of a full-duplexantenna element, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 23A illustrates a repeating antenna structure and a neighboringrepeating antenna structure, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 23B is a graph illustrating the S-parameters of a full-duplexantenna element, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 24 is a graph illustrating the scan performance of a full-duplexantenna element, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 25A illustrates a top view of a sub-User Terminal Module (UTM),according to some embodiments.

FIG. 25B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sub-UTM, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 26 illustrates the use of sequentially rotating (SQR) ports in anantenna array, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 27 illustrates the use of orthogonal ports and SQR in an antennaarray, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 28A illustrates a sub-UTM with conventional port placement,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 28B illustrates a sub-UTM with SQR port placement, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 29 illustrates the use of orthogonal ports in a sub-UTM, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 30 is a graph illustrating a directivity of an example 2×2 arraywhen configured in an SQR vs. conventional port arrangement, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 31 is a graph illustrating axial ratio of an example 2×2 array whenconfigured in an SQR vs. conventional port arrangement, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 32 is a graph illustrating a directivity of an example 1×4 arraywhen configured in an SQR vs. conventional port arrangement, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 33 illustrates an antenna element in the presence of a scatterer,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 34 illustrates a method of designing an antenna element in thepresence of a scatterer, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 35 is a graph of a radiation pattern of a full duplex antennaelement, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 36 depicts a user terminal module, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 37 depicts an example antenna lattice configuration of afull-duplex single-panel user terminal panel (UTP), according to someembodiments.

FIG. 38 depicts a top view of an alternate example antenna latticeconfiguration of a full-duplex single-panel user terminal panel (UTP),according to some embodiments.

FIG. 39 depicts a perspective view of an alternate example antennalattice configuration of a full-duplex single-panel user terminal panel(UTP), according to some embodiments.

FIG. 40 depicts an example antenna lattice configuration of afull-duplex single-panel user terminal panel (UTP) using reduced Txantenna elements, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 41 depicts another example antenna lattice configuration of afull-duplex single-panel user terminal panel (UTP) using reduced Txantenna elements, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 42 depicts a UTP with Tx/Rx UTMs and Tx Only UTMs, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 43 depicts a UTP with Tx/Rx UTMs and Rx Only UTMs, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 44 depicts a multi-UTP for Improved Link Performance, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 45 depicts a multi-UTP for Improved G/T performance, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 46 depicts using multiple UTPs on an airplane fuselage, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 47 depicts a block diagram illustrating an example modulararchitecture of a full-duplex single panel user terminal formed withmultiple UTMs, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 48 depicts a block diagram illustrating an example UTM with 9 TxRFICs connected in a daisy chain as well as 4 Rx RFICs connected in adaisy chain, and a control circuit, according to some implementations,

FIG. 49 depicts a block diagram illustrating an example control circuitand four UTMs connected in a daisy chain.

The drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Similarly, somecomponents and/or operations may be separated into different blocks orcombined into a single block for the purposes of discussion of some ofthe embodiments of the present technology. Moreover, while thetechnology is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms,specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawingsand are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not tolimit the technology to the particular embodiments described. On thecontrary, the technology is intended to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the technologyas defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DISCRIPTION

Examples are discussed in detail below. While specific implementationsare discussed, it should be understood that this is done forillustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art willrecognize that other components and configurations may be used withoutparting from the spirit and scope of the subject matter of thisdisclosure. The implementations may include systems, processes,apparatuses, machine-implemented methods, computing devices, or computerreadable medium.

As used herein, a user terminal can also be referred to as an antennasystem or UTP. A single-panel full-duplex user terminal can also bereferred to as a single-panel full-duplex antenna system. Additionally,a single-panel full-duplex user terminal can be referred to as asingle-aperture full-duplex user terminal, single-aperture full-duplexantenna system, or a single-aperture full-duplex panel.

In a full-duplex satellite communication scenario, at least some of thepower of the Tx signal can be coupled into the receive portion of thecircuitry. Transmitted signals are typically transmitted at fairly highpower levels. Received signals, however, are typically received at muchlower power levels than that of the transmitted signals’ power levels.The coupled Tx signal power into the Rx signal chain can be greater thana noise floor of the LNA of the Rx signal, thereby interfering with theRx signal being reliably received. Furthermore the coupled Tx signalpower into the Rx signal chain can affect the linear (a.k.a.small-signal) region of the LNA. Reducing Tx/Rx coupling (or improvingthe Tx/Rx isolation) can improve the integrity of the received signalduring full-duplex operation. One or more embodiments described herein,among other benefits, solve one or more of the foregoing problems in theart by providing full-duplex antenna systems and isolation methods toreduce coupling from a Tx signal path onto an Rx signal path, and tothereby enable full-duplex communication and in certain scenariosenhance full-duplex communication.

In one embodiment, a full-duplex antenna system includes a controllercircuit, a transmit signal path including one or more elements eachincluding a distribution network, a Tx RFIC including one or more poweramplifiers (PA), one or more filters, one or more Tx antenna elementports of a Tx antenna element operating at a Tx frequency band totransmit an outgoing signal to a satellite. The example full-duplexantenna system further includes an Rx signal path in the one or moreelements, the Rx signal path including a distribution network, an RxRFIC including one or more LNAs driven by an Rx antenna element port ofan Rx antenna element operating at an Rx frequency band to receive anincoming signal from the satellite. The Rx frequency band is separatedby a frequency guard band from the Tx frequency band, and the filterstogether with the isolation methods described between the Tx and Rxsignal paths provides sufficient isolation to reduce coupling betweenthe Tx signal path and the Rx signal path to allow the satellite antennato operate in full-duplex.

In some embodiments, the incoming signal from a satellite is referred toas an incoming analog signal or incoming RF signal and the outgoingsignal to a satellite is referred to as outgoing analog signals oroutgoing RF signal. In other embodiments, the incoming signal from asatellite is referred to as a downlink signal and the outgoing signal toa satellite is referred to as an uplink signal.

FIG. 1 illustrates a full-duplex single-panel user terminal panel (UTP)100 communicating with a satellite 110 using a transmit frequency(a.k.a., uplink) f_(Tx) 160 and a receive frequency (a.k.a. downlink)f_(Rx) 170 simultaneously. According to some embodiments, f_(Tx) andf_(Rx) are different frequency bands. As an example the Ka band used insatellite communications uplink uses frequencies between 27.5 GHz and 30GHz and the downlink uses frequencies between 17.7 GHz and 20.2 GHz,employing a Tx frequency to Rx frequency ratio of 3:2

It is to be noted that antenna beam 120 is an illustration of thetransmit frequency antenna beam and receive frequency antenna beam. Inreality the Tx antenna beam and the Rx antenna beam may be separate.

The satellite 110 location may be directly above the full-duplexsingle-panel user terminal 130 at an elevation angle (EL) of 90 degreeswhich is directly up towards the sky 140, at EL = 0 degrees towards thehorizon 150, or anywhere in between. The full-duplex PAsingle-panel userterminal may be capable of a certain elevation scanning range 155. Thesatellite 110 may be a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a geostationaryearth orbit (GEO) satellite, or medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite.

The full-duplex single-panel UTP may be on a static object such as aroof of a house or oil a moving platform such as a train, bus, or anairplane.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the Tx and Rx signal chainsleading to a full-duplex antenna element 220, for use in full-duplexcommunication 200, according to some embodiments.

Transmit/Receive Signal Paths: As shown, antenna element block diagram200 includes a transmit signal path, which includes, connected in order,a Tx port 230 (to receive an analog input from a modem of a userdevice), a Tx distribution network 232 (the Tx distribution network maybe referred to as a Tx splitter), PA 234, a Tx Filter 236, connected toa Tx antenna element 222 via a Tx antenna element port 224. As usedherein, the Tx port 230 is an analog input from a user device such as atransceiver into the antenna system. Also shown is a receive signal pathincludes, connected, in order, Rx antenna element 226, connected via Rxantenna element port 228 to an Rx Filter 246, which drives LNA 244,which drives RF distribution network 242 (the Rx distribution networkmay also be referred to as an Rx combiner), which drives an Rx port 240to provide as an analog output to a user device such as a transceiver.Tx filter 236 and Rx filter 246 may be either a surface mount (SMT)filter or a PCB-based filter.

As used herein, the PA 234 is a Tx RFIC with one or more Tx channels,and the LNA 244 is an Rx RFIC with one or more Rx channels.

In some embodiments, the one or more Tx distribution network in the Txsignal path is also referred to as a corporate network. In otherembodiments, the one or more Rx distribution networks in the Rx signalpath may be referred to as a corporate network.

As used herein an antenna port is a physical interface on the antennathat allows for exchange of RF energy between the antenna and the RFsignal path. As an example, the Tx antenna port 224 is a physicalinterface that allows for energy to be transferred from the PA into theTx antenna element. An antenna port is an integral part of the antennaelement and may be connected with another RF device through an RFtransition (not shown) or through an RF coaxial connector (also notshown), such as sub-miniature push-on (SMP), subminiature push-on micro(SMP-M), subminiature push-on sub-micro (SMP-S).

As shown in block diagram 200, a Tx/Rx isolation 250 is the isolationlevel between a Tx antenna port and an Rx antenna port. Furthermore, TxPA/Rx LNA isolation 255 is the isolation between the PA 234 and the LNA244. It is to be noted that when deriving full-duplex isolationspecifications, both Tx/Rx isolation 250 and Tx PA/Rx LNA isolation 255have to conform to said full-duplex specifications.

The full-duplex antenna element 220 as used herein contains at least oneTx antenna element 222 and one Rx antenna element 226. In otherembodiments, not shown, more than one Tx or Rx antenna elements may beused. In other embodiments, also not shown, a full-duplex single-paneluser terminal contains more Tx antenna elements than Rx antennaelements. To support additional Tx antenna elements, additional Txsignal paths may be used.

In other embodiments, not shown, a full-duplex single-panel userterminal contains more Rx signal chains than Tx signal chains. In orderto support additional Rx signal chains, an Rx antenna element is used inlieu of a full-duplex antenna element.

FIG. 3A depicts an LNA 310 with a power input 320 and a power output330.

P_(1dB) or 1 dB compression point is an output power level at which thegain of the LNA decreases 1 dB from the theoretical response 390. Oncean amplifier reaches this P_(1dB) it goes into compression and exhibitsnon-linear behavior, producing distortion, harmonics and intermodulationproducts. Amplifiers such as LNAs should be operated below thecompression point, in their linear region.

FIG. 3B is a graph that illustrates the power output of LNA 330 vs.power input of LNA 320. Shown are two regions that define the operationof the LNA: a linear region 340 and a compression region 350.Furthermore, the graph illustrates the potential response of the LNAwith a Tx blocker 370 different from the actual response of the LNAwithout a Tx blocker 360. The Tx blocker power 210 (FIG. 2 ) representsan amount of power in the Tx-band at the output of the PA that couldcouple into the input of the LNA 245 (FIG. 2 ). When this happens, theP_(1dB) of the LNA with Tx blocker 385 reduces from a value P_(1dB) ofLNA without Tx blocker 380.

A lower input P_(1d8) such as depicted in P_(1dB) of the LNA with Txblocker 385 means a reduced linear region of the LNA 340, which cancause the LNA to output a less desired (lower) Signal-to-Noise ratio(SNR). SNR is the ratio of RF signal to RF noise. The lower the SNR, themore noise is generated by the receiver.

FIG. 4 is an example graph 400 that illustrates the RF power in dBm 410vs. frequency 420. By design, the highest level of RF signal 430 in theRx-band 440 happens at f_(Rx) 470 which is higher thana noise floor ofLNA 450. In addition, the highest level of a Tx signal 460 in the Txband 490 happens at fr_(x) 480. A Tx PA skirt power 460 is a byproductof the Tx signal outside of the Tx-band and may affect the Rx signalwithin the Rx-band if the Tx PA skirt power is higher than the noisefloor of the LNA 450.

As used herein, the Tx PA skirt power may also be referred to as Txskirt.

FIG. 5 is a graph 500 illustrating RF power 510 vs. Frequency 520. Asshown, the noise floor of LNA without Tx PA 550 in the Rx-band 530 is ata lower level compared with the noise floor of LNA in presence of Tx PA540 in the Rx-band 530. The increase of the noise power in the noisefloor of LNA in presence of PA 540 is due to the noise power that the PAadds to the existing noise floor of LNA without Tx PA 550, in theRx-band 530 which is centered around an Rx frequency f_(c) 560.

FIG. 6A depicts a block diagram illustrating the single-panelfull-duplex user terminal for use in full-duplex communication,according to some embodiments. Block diagram 600a shows a moresimplified version of the block diagram 200 (FIG. 2 ). Block diagram600a considers the Tx signal as a blocker and a source of Rx signalinterference. Furthermore, Tx-band isolation 615 is one example of Tx/Rxisolation 250 (FIG. 2 ).

In order to operate in full-duplex mode, the Tx-band isolation 615 needsto be greater than the absolute value (Tx signal power (P_(blocker)) inthe Tx band at the output of the PA 610 minus a power level in the Txband that would contribute to compressing the LNA by 1 dB in the Rx band(P_(1dB,blocker)) 385 (FIG. 3B)}

$\begin{matrix}{\text{Tx-band isolation} > \left| {\text{P}_{\text{blocker}}\text{- P}_{1\text{dB,blocker}}} \right|} & \text{­­­Equation 1:}\end{matrix}$

Note that Equation 1 applies if P_(blocker) > P_(1dB,blocker), otherwiseTx-band isolation is not needed.

FIG. 6B depicts a block diagram illustrating the single-panelfull-duplex user terminal for use in full-duplex communication,according to some embodiments. Block diagram 600b shows a moresimplified version of the block diagram 200 (FIG. 2 ). Block diagram600b considers the Tx PA skirt power in the Rx-band (FIG. 4 ) at theoutput of the PA 650 as a source of Rx signal interference. Furthermore,Rx-band isolation 655 is one example of Tx/Rx isolation 250 (FIG. 2 ).

In order to operate in full-duplex mode, the Rx-band isolation 655 needsto be greater than the absolute value of {Tx PA skirt power (P_(skirt),_(PA)) in the Rx band at the output of the PA 650 minus the noise floorof the LNA in the Rx band (P_(noise) _(floor), _(LNA))}

$\begin{matrix}{\text{Rx-band isolation} > \left| {\text{P}_{\text{skirt, PA}}\text{- P}_{\text{noise floor, LNA}}} \right|} & \text{­­­Equation 2:}\end{matrix}$

Note that Equation 2 applies if P_(skirt,) _(PA) > P_(noise)_(floor,LNA,) otherwise Rx-band isolation is not needed.

FIG. 6C depicts a block diagram illustrating the single-panelfull-duplex user terminal for use in full-duplex communication,according to some embodiments. Block diagram 600c shows a moresimplified version of the block diagram 200 (FIG. 2 ). Block diagram600c considers the Tx noise power in the Rx-band at the output of the PA670 as a source of Rx signal interference. Furthermore, Rx-bandisolation 675 is one example of Tx/Rx isolation 250 (FIG. 2 ).

In order to operate in full-duplex mode, the Rx-band isolation 675 needsto be greater than the absolute value {Tx PA noise power(P_(noise),_(PA)) in the Rx band at the output of the PA 670 minus thenoise floor of the LNA in the Rx band}

$\begin{matrix}{\text{Rx-band isolation} > \left| {\text{P}_{\text{noise, PA}}\text{- P}_{\text{noise floor, LNA}}} \right|} & \text{­­­Equation 3:}\end{matrix}$

Note that Equation 2 applies if P_(noise.) _(PA) > P_(noise) _(floor,)_(LNA) ; otherwise Rx-band isolation is not needed.

FIG. 7A depicts a full-duplex dual-aperture antenna panel 710 consistingof an Rx antenna panel 720 and a Tx antenna panel 730. An antenna toantenna separation d_(Rx) 740 of the Rx antenna panel describes aspacing requirement for the operation of the Rx antenna panel in a Rxfrequency. An antenna to antenna separation d_(Tx) 750 of the Tx antennapanel describes a spacing requirement for the operation of the Txantenna panel in a Tx frequency. Combining the Rx antenna panel and theTx antenna panel into a full-duplex single aperture panel 760 (FIG. 7B)for simultaneous operation in the Tx-band and the Rx-band presentsadditional design challenges and requires a new array solution. Theantenna elements and the way they repeat are no longer preserved.Furthermore, the antenna ground for Tx antenna elements and Rx antennaelements is shared. As an example, the Tx antenna elements (assumed tobe above the Rx antenna elements) are separated by a dielectric layer(s)from the Rx antenna elements, while sharing the same ground. Couplingbetween Tx antenna element 765 and Rx antenna element 766 is introduced.Furthermore, instead of routing RF signals from Tx RFICs into a Txantenna panel and similarly routing RF signals from Rx RFICs into an Rxantenna panel, the routing of RF signals from Tx RFICs and RF signalsfrom Rx RFICs into the same panel is now required, increasing RFICdensity.

As used herein, RFIC density is the percentage of a PCB surface areathat will be covered in RFICs. Furthermore, this is defined as (Arearequired by one RFIC ^(x) Number of RFICs) / PCB surface Area.

FIG. 8 depicts a satellite 820 and satellite 825 shown with respect to aUTP 810. In some embodiments, satellite 820 and satellite 825 lie in anorbit, like LEO or GEO and UTP 810 lies on an Earth surface. As usedherein, the term broadside is when the direction of radiation of the UTPis perpendicular to its main surface area. In 800, satellite 820 is atbroadside (or θ₀ = 0 degrees) with respect to UTP 810 and satellite 825is at an angle θ₀ ≠ 0 degrees. In some embodiments, an elevation (EL) =90 degrees is equivalent to θ₀ = 0 degrees, and an EL = 0 degrees isequivalent to θ₀ = 90 degrees.

As shown in 800, the UTP Area projected towards a satellite varies inaccordance with θ₀ of the satellite. The area projected A_(UTP)_(projected) towards a satellite is equivalent to the area of the UTPA_(UTP) multiplied by the cosine of the angle θ_(0.) As shown, themaximum A_(UTP) _(projected) is when the satellite is at θ₀ = 0 degrees(broadside) with respect to the UTP. Furthermore, the gain of theantenna of the UTP (G_(UTP)) referenced at an angle θ₀ is proportionalto the A_(UTP) projected and is a maximum when θ₀ = 0 degrees. In someembodiments, the gain of the antenna of the UTP is referred to as thegain of the UTP or G_(UTP).

$\begin{matrix}{\text{A}_{\text{UTP projected}} = \text{A}_{\text{UTP}}\text{cos}\left( \theta_{0} \right)} & \text{­­­Equation 4 :}\end{matrix}$

FIG. 9 . is a graph illustrating the grating lobe free requirement 910on the antenna to antenna spacing 920 in terms of wavelength (or freespace lambda λ). Grating lobes are secondary main lobes or very strongside lobes which could be approximately the size of the main lobe in anantenna radiation pattern. Grating lobes occur as a result of spacingamong the antenna elements in the phased array antenna. The objective isto avoid grating lobes by using the optimal spacing of antenna elements.As used herein, the antenna to antenna spacing (or spacing of antennaelements) is referred to as d/λ. The d/λ requirement shown in 900 iscritical on the scan performance. As an example, a d/λ = 0.7 is neededto meet the criteria of free grating lobes down to a θ₀ = 25 degrees.

FIG. 10 . is a graph illustrating the effect of antenna spacing (d/λ) =0.536 on the scan performance of the UTP. As used herein, scan loss isreferred to as scan performance and is depicted by a normalized realizedgain of the UTP 1020. Graph 1000 shows the onset of grating lobe 1030around a scan angle (θ₀) of 60 degrees. It is to be noted that inaddition to the grating lobe free requirement 910 (FIG. 9 ), thereexists other considerations that affect the scan loss, such asinteraction between antenna elements (a.k.a. mutual coupling). Graph1000 also shows an ideal power of cosine to the power of 1 1010, whichindicates a maximum UTP gain achieved.

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B depict top views and cross sectional views of fourlattice configurations for a full-duplex single-panel UTP respectively.

Lattice A 1110 has a d/λ configured at a Tx frequency higher than an Rxfrequency. A combination of a Tx antenna element 1112 with an Rx antennaelement 1114 creates a repeating antenna structure 1115. As used herein,the repeating antenna structure 1115 is also referred to as afull-duplex antenna element. Lattice A uses a Tx antenna element spacingd_(TX) 1152 (FIG. 11B) that is equal to an Rx antenna element spacingd_(Rx) 1154.

As used herein, lattice A 1150 uses Tx antenna elements 1158 on aseparate plane than Rx antenna elements 1156.

Lattice B top view 1120 and cross sectional view 1160 has twoconfigurations B-1 and B-2. B-1 1165 (FIG. 11B) and B-2 1167 (FIG. 11B)have their d/λ configured at an Rx frequency lower than a Tx frequency.B-1 uses a Tx antenna element spacing d_(Tx) 1162 that is equal to an Rxantenna element spacing d_(Rx) 1164. B-2 uses a Tx antenna elementspacing d_(T)x 1168 that is equal to an Rx antenna element spacingd_(Rx) 1166. As shown in B-1 1122, a combination of a Tx antenna element1123 with an Rx antenna element 1124 creates a repeating antennastructure 1125. As used herein, the repeating antenna structure 1125 isalso referred to as a full-duplex antenna element. As shown in B-2 1126,a combination of a Tx antenna element 1128 with an Rx antenna element1127 creates a repeating antenna structure 1129. As used herein, therepeating antenna structure 1125 is also referred to as a full-duplexantenna element.

As used herein, lattice B-1 1165 uses Tx antenna elements 1121 on aseparate plane than Rx antenna elements 1163. lattice B-2 1167 uses Txantenna elements 1169 on the same plane as Rx antenna elements 1190.

Lattice C 1130 is an example of a lattice configured to meetspecifications of d/λ for a Tx frequency as well as an Rx frequency. Asused herein, the Tx frequency is higher than the Rx frequency. In otherembodiments, Rx frequency is higher than a Tx frequency.

Lattice C cross-sectional view 1170, shows using a Tx antenna elementspacing d_(Tx) 1172 different from Rx antenna element spacing d_(Rx)1174. For a square UTP, the side dimension D 1176 for Lattice C 1170that would make it a repeating antenna structure 1135 is the maximum ofthe two values: Md_(Tx) and Nd_(Rx) where M is the number of Tx antennaelements and N is the number of Rx antenna elements. As used herein, arepeating antenna structure 1135, is a repeating pattern that allows forthe scaling of the UTP by multiplying the number of repeating antennastructures in a KxK fashion, where K is an integer number.

$\begin{matrix}{\text{D=max}\left( {\text{Md}_{\text{Tx,}}\text{Nd}_{\text{Rx}}} \right)} & \text{­­­Equation 5:}\end{matrix}$

As used herein, lattice C 1170 uses Tx antenna elements 1171 on aseparate plane than Rx antenna elements 1173.

Lattice D 1140 is another example of a lattice configured to meetspecifications of d/λ for a Tx frequency as well as an Rx frequency. Asused herein, the Tx frequency is higher than the Rx frequency. In otherembodiments, Rx frequency may be higher than a Tx frequency.

Lattice D-1 top view 1142 and D-2 top view 1144, both show using a Txantenna element spacing d_(Tx) 1182 different from Rx antenna elementspacing d_(Rx) 1184.

In some embodiments, the side dimension D 1185 for Lattice D1 1142 thatwould make it a repeating antenna structure 1146 in a squareconfiguration is the maximum of the two values: Md_(Tx) and Nd_(Rx)where M is the number of Tx antenna elements and N is the number of Rxantenna elements. As used herein, a repeating antenna structure 1146, isa repeating pattern that allows for the scaling of the UTP bymultiplying the number of repeating antenna structures in a KxK fashion,where K is an integer number.

In other embodiments, the side dimension D 1185 for Lattice D2 1144 thatwould make it a repeating antenna structure 1148 in a squareconfiguration is the maximum of the two values: M_(dTx) and Nd_(Rx)where M is the number of Tx antenna elements and N is the number of Rxantenna elements. As used herein, a repeating antenna structure 11468,is a repeating pattern that allows for the scaling of the UTP bymultiplying the number of repeating antenna structures in a KxK fashion,where K is an integer number.

As used herein, lattice D-1 and D-2 both use Tx antenna elements 1181 ona separate plane than Rx antenna elements 1183.

TABLE 1 Pros and Cons of Lattice Configurations Lattice Pros Cons A • Nograting lobes for both Tx and Rx frequencies (and therefore an optimumscanning) depending on value of separation with respect to Tx wavelength(d/λ) • Repeating antenna structure consists of 1 type of antennacomprising a Tx antenna element and an Rx antenna element • Highest RFICdensity • Highest DC power that is required to drive the RFICs • Cost ishighest due to the highest RFIC density • Highest coupling between anytwo adjacent Rx antenna elements due solely to their smallest spacingB-1 • Minimum RFIC density • Repeating antenna structure consists of asingle type of full-duplex antenna element comprising a Tx antennaelement disposed above an Rx antenna element • Presence of grating lobesin the Tx frequencies and therefore highest scan loss in the Txfrequency B-2 • Minimum RFIC density • Repeating antenna structureconsists of a single type of full-duplex antenna element comprising a Txantenna element disposed diagonal with respect to an Rx antenna element,resulting in a more cost effective PCB manufacturing • Presence ofgrating lobes in the Tx frequencies and therefore highest scan loss inthe Tx frequency C • No grating lobes for both Tx frequency and Rxfrequency (and therefore an optimum scanning), depending on value ofseparation with respect to wavelength for each Tx (d/λ) and Rx (d/λ),chosen separately • Requires 2 different types of antenna elements (forthe example of Ka band where the ratio of Tx to Rx frequency is 3:2)within the repeating antenna structure, this means: single band Txantenna element and a dual band Tx/Rx element D1 • No grating lobes forboth Tx frequency and Rx frequency (and therefore an optimum scanning),depending on value of separation with respect to wavelength for each Tx(d/λ) and Rx (d/λ), chosen separately • Requires 3 different types ofantenna elements (for the example of Ka band where the ratio of Tx to Rxfrequency is 3:2) within the repeating antenna structure, this means:single band. Tx antenna element, single band Rx antenna element, and adual band Tx/Rx element D2 • No grating lobes for both Tx frequency andRx frequency (and therefore an optimum scanning), depending on value ofseparation with respect to wavelength for each Tx (d/λ) and Rx (d/λ),chosen separately • Lower in cost compared with D1 because it uses lessTx antenna elements and therefore less Tx RFICs • Requires 2 differenttypes of antenna elements (for the example of Ka band where the ratio ofTx to Rx frequency is 3:2) within the repeating antenna structure, thismeans: single band Tx antenna element and a single band Rx antennaelement

FIG. 12 depicts a block diagram 1200 showing the Tx RFIC 1210 channelssuch as Ch T1 1211, Ch T2 1212 connected to a Tx antenna element 1230through port T1 1231 and port T2 1232, respectively. Also shown in 1200are the connections between an Rx RFIC 1220 channels Ch R1 1221, Ch R21222 connected to an Rx antenna element 1230 through port R1 1233 andport R2 12324, respectively. As shown, the full-duplex antenna element1230 has a total of 4 ports, with 2 ports per Tx antenna element and 2ports per Rx antenna element. The 2 ports per Tx and Rx antenna elementsallow for full polarization control. As shown in 1200, Ch T1 1211 isconnected to port T1 1231 of the full-duplex antenna element 1230, Ch T21212 is connected to port T2 1232 of the full-duplex antenna element1230, Ch R1 1221 is connected to port R1 1233 of the full-duplex antennaelement 1230, and Ch R2 1222 is connected to port R2 1234 of thefull-duplex antenna element 1230. In some embodiments, Ch T3 1213, Ch T41214, Ch R3 1223, and Ch R4 1224 are connected to another full-duplexantenna element (not shown). In other embodiments (not shown), the TxRFIC 1210 and the Rx RFIC 1220 may have 1 channel, 2 channels, 8channels, or 16 channels.

Shown in FIG. 12 are the self S-parameters S_(T1),_(T1) 1260, S_(T2,T2)1265, S_(R1,R1) 1270, S_(R2,R2) 1275 which represent an energy reflectedat the respective port. As an example, S_(TI,T1) represents an amount ofpower that is reflected at port T1. As used herein, a self S-parameteris referred to as return loss.

Also shown in FIG. 12 are the mutual S-parameters S_(R2,T1) 1240,S_(R1,T1) 1243, S_(R1,T2) 1245, S_(R2,T2) 1247 which represent an energycoupled from one port to another in the network that is shown in theblock diagram 1200. As an example, S_(R1,T1) represents an amount ofpower that is coupled from port T1 into port R1. As used herein, amutual S-parameter is referred to as coupling.

FIG. 13 is a graph that illustrates a threshold level for return lossand coupling, according to some embodiments. Graph 1300 shows a verticalaxis 1310 that represents an amplitude of the S-matrix in decibel [dB]and a horizontal axis that has the frequency 1320, typically in units ofGHz. Also shown are specific frequencies of interest such as f_(Rx) 1360and f_(rx) 1370.

In some embodiments S_(R1,R1) 1342 is an example of a return loss of aRx antenna element of a full duplex antenna element and S_(TI,TI) 1344is an example of a return loss response of a Tx antenna element of afull-duplex antenna element. Furthermore, S_(R1,T1) 1346 is an examplecoupling response between a Tx antenna element and a Rx antenna elementof a full-duplex antenna element.

In some embodiments, a threshold level is defined for the return loss1352 of a Tx antenna element and Rx antenna element, as well as acoupling 1354 between a Tx antenna element and an Rx antenna element.

FIG. 14 is a graph that illustrates exemplar realized gain measurementsof the Tx antenna element 1440 of a full-duplex antenna element andrealized gain measurements of the Rx antenna element 1450 of afull-duplex antenna element, according to some embodiments. Also in 1440are the simulation results of the Tx antenna element 1420 and thesimulation results of the Rx antenna element 1430. Realized gain is animportant antenna metric that represents the amount of energy that isaccepted by an antenna and radiated out. Graph 1400 shows that at 19.5GHz, the realized gain of the Rx antenna element is around 5 dB whilethe realized gain of the Tx antenna element is around ~25 dB. Thisdifference of 30 dB in the realized gain between the Rx antenna elementand the Tx antenna element is key to a successful full-duplex operationand owes itself to the design of the full-duplex antenna elementincluding the isolation between the Tx antenna element and the Rxantenna element.

FIG. 15 is a graph that illustrates the S-parameters response of afull-duplex antenna element 220 (FIG. 2 ) with and without a Tx filter236 (FIG. 2 ) and an Rx filter 246 (FIG. 2 ). As shown in 1500, theS_(R1,T1) with filter 1532 presents a significant improvement whencompared with S_(R1,T1) without filter 1530. Also shown in 1550 areS_(R1,R1) with filter 1510 and S_(R1,R1) without filter 1530 as well asS_(T1,T1) with filter 1520 and S_(T1,T1) without filter 1522. As usedherein, the Tx filter is a band-pass filter for the Tx frequency range29 GHz to 31 GHz and the Rx filter is a band pass filter for the Rxfrequency range 17 GHz to 20 GHz. The penalty of using such filters isthe insertion loss that the filter itself adds to the circuitry, whichultimately results in a reduced G/T of the UTP and a reduced EIRP of theUTP.

FIG. 16 depicts a UTP with Lattice A. (FIG. 11A) which uses a d/λconfigured at a Tx frequency higher than an Rx frequency. Lattice A usesa Tx antenna element spacing d_(Tx) 1610 that is equal to an Rx antennaelement spacing d_(Rx) 1615. As used herein, a full-duplex antennaelement 1620 consists of a Tx antenna element 1630 and an Rx antennaelement 1640.

FIG. 17 depicts a UTP with Lattice B-1 (FIG. 11A) which uses a d/λconfigured at an Rx frequency lower than a Tx frequency. Lattice B-1uses an Rx antenna element spacing d_(Rx) 1710 that is equal to a Txantenna element spacing d_(Tx) 1715. As used herein, a full-duplexantenna element 1720 consists of a Tx antenna element 1730 and an Rxantenna element 1740.

FIG. 18 depicts a UTP with Lattice B-2 (FIG. 11A) which uses a d/λconfigured at an Rx frequency lower than a Tx frequency. Lattice B-2uses an Rx antenna element spacing d_(Rx) 1810 that is equal to a Txantenna element spacing d_(Tx) 1815. As used herein, a full-duplexantenna element 1820 consists of a Tx antenna element 1830 and an Rxantenna element 1840.

FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B illustrate a full-duplex antenna element forperforming full-duplex communication, according to some embodiments.1900 a illustrates a top view of a full-duplex antenna element 1905,including a Tx antenna element keepout region 1915 of a Tx antennaelement 1910 and an Rx antenna element keepout region 1925 of an Rxantenna element 1920. As used herein, the Tx antenna element keepoutregion is a spatial zone disposed about a periphery of the Tx antennaelement, and the Rx antenna element keepout region is a spatial zonedisposed about a periphery of the Rx antenna element. As shown herein,1905 is an example of a Tx antenna element 1910 and an Rx antennaelement 1920 lying on an x-y plane 1940 of a printed circuit board(PCB). In other embodiments, the Tx antenna element and the Rx antennaelement are disposed on different layers of a PCB. The Tx antennakeepout region 1915 and the Rx antenna keepout region 1925 are dependentupon the electric field strength of the Tx antenna element 1910 and theRx antenna element 1920, respectively. The stronger the electric fieldstrength, the larger the keepout region. The purpose of the Tx antennakeepout region and the Rx antenna keepout region plays a key role inmaximizing the Tx/Rx isolation 250 (FIG. 2 ) within the full-duplexantenna element 1905.

1900b illustrates a cross-sectional view of a full-duplex antennaelement 1905, according to some embodiments. In such embodiments, the Txantenna keepout region and Rx antenna keepout region extends beyond thex-y plane 1940 and into the z plane 1950. In such embodiments, the Txantenna element and the Rx antenna element are disposed on one or morelayers of the PCB 1955.

FIG. 19A also illustrates Tx antenna element port 1913 placed in anon-orthogonal orientation when compared with Rx antenna element port1927. Also shown is Tx antenna element port 1917 in an orthogonalorientation when compared with Rx antenna element port 1927.

FIG. 20 is a graph illustrating the effect of keepout region as well asport orientation of the full-duplex antenna element, according to someembodiments. Graph 2000 is an exemplary graph illustrating the couplinglevel between a Tx antenna element port and an Rx antenna element portof the full-duplex antenna element of an antenna system. As shown ingraph 2000, using a keepout region 2020 reduces the coupling levelbetween the Tx antenna element port and the Rx antenna element port; inother words the isolation between said ports increases in the frequencyrange of interest 2050, when compared with a scenario where no keepoutregion was used 2010.

Graph 2000 also illustrates the effect of antenna element portorthogonality on the isolation between Tx antenna element and Rx antennaelement. As shown, an S_(Tx,Rx) with keepout region and with orthogonalport orientation 2040 shows more isolation than S_(Tx,Rx) with keepoutregion and without orthogonal port orientation 2020, in a frequencyrange of interest 2050.

FIG. 21 depicts an Electric Field 2130 of an Rx antenna element 2140 inpresence of a Tx antenna element 2110 within a full-duplex antennaelement 2100, according to some embodiments. As illustrated in 2100, aconfinement of the Electric Field strength at the Rx antenna is due tothe Rx antenna element keepout region (not shown). This in turn, enablesa large isolation between the Rx antenna element port and the Tx antennaelement port. This is depicted by having weak Electric Field at the Txantenna element port (40 dB lower with reference to the strongestElectric Field at the Rx antenna port) coupled from the Rx antennaelement port. As used herein, the coupling between an Rx antenna and aTx antenna is the same as the coupling between the Rx antenna port andthe Tx antenna port.

FIG. 22 is a graph that illustrates the S-parameters of a full-duplexantenna element using Lattice B-2 (FIG. 11A), according to someembodiments. Shown in graph 2200 are: measured return loss of an Rxantenna element 2210, simulated return loss of an Rx antenna element2215, measured return loss of a Tx antenna element 2220, simulatedreturn loss of a Tx antenna element 2225, measured isolation between Txantenna element and Rx antenna element 2230, and simulated isolationbetween Tx antenna element and Rx antenna element 2235. The S-parametersare of specific interest in certain bands such as Rx band 2240 and Txband 2250.

FIG. 23A illustrates a repeating antenna structure 2310 and aneighboring repeating antenna structure 2315. As used herein, aneigboring repeating antenna structure is any repeating antennastructure that is touching 2310.

FIG. 23B is a graph that illustrates the isolation between a Tx antennaelement port of a unit cell 2310 and neigboring Rx antenna elements ofneighboring unit cells, according to some embodiments. As used herein, arepeating full-duplex antenna element may also be referred to as a unitcell. Graph 2300 b show the isolation level between Tx element of unitcell 2310 and the Rx antenna element of unit cells 2315, 2316, 2317,2318, and 2319. Those unit cells are chosen due to the smaller proximityof their Rx antenna element with that of the Tx antenna element of 2310and it is assumed that the isolation between the Tx antenna element 2310with the Rx elements of those unit cells that are further away wouldyield a better isolation. In addition, the isolation of the Tx elementwith the Rx element of unit cell 23 10 itself is shown on graph 2300 b.It is noteworthy that the graph of 2300 b assumes that there are aninfinite amount of unit cells, which is a well-accepted practice in theantenna array discipline when there are a large number of unit cells,such as tens of unit cells, hundreds, and even more. As shown, graph2300 b illustrates that the isolation levels of the Tx antenna elementof the unit cell 2310 and five Rx antenna elements of neighboring unitcells in the Tx band 2330 are comparable to the isolation level of a Txantenna element and an Rx antenna element of the same unit cell, such asthe simulated isolation between Tx antenna element and Rx antennaelement 2235 in FIG. 22 .

In some embodiments, a repeating antenna structure is referred to as afull duplex antenna element.

FIG. 24 is a graph that illustrates the scan performance (or scan loss)for the repeating full-duplex antenna element 2300 a (FIG. 23-A). 2400is a graph of normalized realized gain 2405 vs. Theta 2407, representinga single repeating full-duplex antenna element gain normalized to amaximum gain value vs. theta. As used herein, the scan loss is thenormalized realized gain of a full-duplex antenna element. Trace 2410represents a power of cosine to the power of 1; an ideal case of scanloss. Trace 2420 represents the scan loss of the Rx antenna element.Trace 2430 represents the scan loss of the Tx antenna element. Graph2400 takes into account the effect of all neighboring repeatingfull-duplex antenna elements. Due to this, the scan loss of thefull-duplex single panel user terminal is the same as the scan loss ofthe full-duplex antenna element.

FIG. 25A depicts a top view of a sub-UTM and FIG. 25B depicts across-sectional view of a sub-UTM, according to some embodiments. Asreferred to herein, a sub-UTM is the smallest physically manufacturablePCB; or the smallest building block that is used to create a larger UTP.As shown, a sub_(~)UTM 2510 consists of two types of antenna elements: aTx antenna element 2520 and a dual-band Tx/Rx antenna element 2530.Furthermore, as used herein, there is no standalone Rx antenna elementand the functionality of the Rx antenna element is a part of thedual-band Tx/Rx antenna element.

2500 b shows the Tx antenna element to Tx antenna element separationd_(Tx) 2550 is different from the Rx antenna element to antenna elementseparation d_(Rx) 2560, as discussed previously in FIGS. 11A and 11B.This different spacing in d_(Tx) and d_(Rx) may provide optimum scanperformance for two different frequencies and may result in similar scanperformance for the Tx and Rx frequency bands as opposed to differencescan performance for the Tx and Rx frequencies as shown in FIG. 24 .

The side dimension of a square sub_(~)UTM is given by equation 5 above.

FIG. 26 illustrates a method of Sequentially Rotating Feeds (SQR),according to some embodiments. The method consists of rotating a 1stantenna element 2620 by 90 degrees with respect to a z-axis 2617 tocreate a 2nd antenna element 2630. Furthermore, a 1st port 2622 of the1st antenna element 2620 is rotated 90 degrees, with respect to thez-axis, and a 90 degrees phase addition is applied to it. For example,1st port 2622 originally had 90 degrees applied to it, and afterrotating it by 90 degrees with respect to the z-axis, a 180 degreesphase is applied to it. In a similar way, a 2nd port 2624 of the 1stantenna element is rotated by 90 degrees physically to a 2nd port 2634of the 2nd antenna element 2630, with respect to the z-axis, and a 90degrees phase addition is applied to it. The 2nd antenna element 2630may also be seen as mirrored 1st antenna element 2620 with respect tothe y-axis 2615. In a similar way, the 2nd antenna element rotatesphysically by 90 degrees, with respect to a z-axis 2617, creating a 3rdantenna element 2640. The 3rd antenna element 2640 may also be seen as amirrored 2nd antenna element 2630 with respect to the x-axis 2610. ThisSQR method is completed after a 4th antenna element and its ports arecreated, by rotating a 3rd antenna element and its ports by 90 degreeswith respect to the z-axis. The principle of SQR hence requires bothphysically rotating the feeds of the antenna element by 90 degrees andchanging the applied phase to each antenna port via the RFIC.Implementing an SQR configuration achieves an improvement of an axialratio (AR) bandwidth (BW) for each element. The AR is an importantantenna parameter especially in circularly polarized antennas andmaintaining an AR < 3 dB is an important metric to achieve.

FIG. 27 illustrates an alternate SQR method. As shown in 2700, a 90degrees physical clockwise rotation of a 1st antenna element 2720 isapplied to create a 2nd antenna element 2730, in such a way that the 1stport 2722 of the first antenna element 2720 is rotated a 90 degreesclockwise, and an additional 180 degrees physical clockwise rotation,resulting in a 2nd port location 2734 of the 2nd antenna element 2730.Furthermore, a 180 degrees additional phase is applied in addition tothe original 90 degrees phase addition described in 2600, resulting in atotal additional phase of 270 degrees to each port.

Both SQR 2600 and alternate SQR 2700 are effective ways to enhance ARBW.

FIG. 28A depicts a sub-UTM using conventional feeding 2810. As shown,all Rx antenna elements of the sub-UTM use a similar orientation ofports such as port A 2815, and port B 2817 of Rx antenna element 2830.In a similar way, all Tx antenna elements of the sub-UTM 2810 use asimilar port orientation as ports 1 2820 and port 2 2825 of Tx antennaelement 2835.

FIG. 28B depicts a sub-UTM with SQR feeding 2850. As shown, ports 3 andport 4 of Tx antenna element 2872 employ an SQR feeding method and arehence rotated 90 degrees clockwise when compared with port 1 and port 2of Tx antenna clement 2870, respectively. Furthermore, Tx antennaelement 2874 is rotated 90 degrees clockwise with respect to Tx antennaelement 2872 and Tx antenna element 2876 is rotated 90 degrees clockwisewith respect to Tx antenna element 2874. A similar SQR feeding method isapplied to the Rx antenna elements of sub-UTM 2850.

FIG. 29 depicts a sub-UTM with alternate SQR feeding 2900, according tosome embodiments. As used herein, SQR method is applied to the Rxantenna elements and Tx antenna elements. In this example, theadditional 180 degrees rotation that is applied to the ports is onlyused on the Rx antenna ports: port A 2920 of Rx antenna element 2940 isrotated 180 degrees to location A′ 2925 and port B 2930 of Rx antennaelements 2940 is rotated by 180 degrees to location B′ 2935.

FIG. 30 is a graph illustrating an example SQR directivity. In thisexample three configurations are compared against each other for a 2×2microstrip antenna array resembling a configuration similar to thatshown in FIG. 26 for an SQR feeding and FIG. 27 for an alternate SQRfeeding. For each configuration, the co-pol and the cross-poldirectivity are plotted. As shown, the co-pol of the conventionally fedarray 3010, the co-pol of the SQR fed array 3020, and the co-pol of thealternate SQR fed array 3030 are comparable to each other, varying lessthan 0.2 dB in the broadside direction (theta = 0 degrees). Thecross-pol of the conventionally fed array 3040 is shown to besignificantly higher (more than 30 dB) than the cross-pol of the SQR fedarray 3050 and the cross-pol of the alternate SQR fed array 3060. Thecross-pol is an antenna metric that is kept low with most antenna systemspecifications calling for a value lower than ~20 dB.

FIG. 31 is a graph illustrating the broadside AR of the 2×2 SQRMicrostrip Antenna Array for the conventionally fed array 2910 and theSQR fed array 2920. As shown, the AR of the SQR fed array is lower invalue compared with the conventionally fed array. In addition the AR ofthe SQR fed array exhibits more flatness when compared with the AR ofthe conventionally fed array.

FIG. 32 is a graph illustrating another example of SQR directivity. Inthis example two configurations are compared against each other for a1×4 microstrip antenna array. For each configuration, the co-pol and theCross-pol directivity are plotted. As shown, the co-pol of theconventionally fed array 3210 and the co-pol of the SQR fed array 3220are comparable to each other, varying less than 0.1 dB in the broadsidedirection (theta =0 degrees). The cross-pol of the conventionally fedarray 3230 is shown to be significantly higher (more than 30 dB) thanthe cross-pol of the SQR fed array 3240.

FIG. 33 illustrates an antenna 3310 with Port 1 settings 3320 ofamplitude and phase and Port 2 settings 3330 of amplitude and phase.Also shown is a scatterer 3340. A scatterer is considered to be anyother object in the vicinity of the antenna 3310, including anotherantenna. A coupling 3350 exists between the antenna 3310 and thescatterer 3340. This coupling 3350 depends on several factors like thesize of the scatterer, the distance between the antenna 3310 and thescatterer 3340 and the material of the scatterer. The coupling 3350 mayaffect Port 1 setting 3310 and Port 2 setting 3330 and ultimately changethe polarization of a radiated wave of antenna 3310 and the cross-pollevel of antenna 3310.

TABLE 2 Port excitation to Electric Field Propagation Reference TablePort Excitation Electric Field Propagation Port 1 amplitude Port 1 phasePort 2 amplitude Port 2 phase Normalized Ex amplitude Normalized Exphase Normalized Ey amplitude Normalize d Ey phase 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 900 0 1 90 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 90 0 0 1 90

FIG. 34 illustrates a method of removing an effect of a scatterer on theperformance of an antenna, according to some embodiments. As shown, flow3400 starts at 3410 with a reference table such as Table 2, whichresembles an ideal case of port excitation to electric fieldpropagation. Operation 3420 calls for simulating an antenna withpresence of a scatterer which could be another antenna. Operation 3420calls for calculating a Δ_(matrix) which is the difference between thesimulation of the antenna and the reference table. Operation 3440 callsfor applying a function f(Δmatrix) to Port 1 and Port 2 settings(amplitude and phase), which will bring the antenna to exhibit its idealvalues; in other words, f(A_(matrix)) will remove the effect of thescatterer. Furthermore, conditions for circular polarizations may beapplied.

In other embodiments, operation 3420 may be performed in labmeasurements.

FIG. 35 is a graph illustrating a gain pattern of a dual-band Tx/Rxantenna element 2530 (FIG. 25A). As shown, a Right Hand CircularlyPolarized (RHCP) gain plot 3510 is shown at an Rx frequency of 19 GHzand a Left Hand Circularly Polarized (LHCP) gain plot 3520 is shown at aTx frequency of 29 GHz. It is worth noting that the two gain plots areorthogonal to each other, creating an additional polarizationdiscrimination between the individual Tx and Rx antenna elements of thedual-band Tx/Rx antenna element.

FIG. 36 depicts a UTM 3600 comprised of four sub-UTMs utilizing SQRmethod, according to some embodiments. As shown, dual band Tx/Rx antennaelement 3622 of sub-UTM 3612 is formed by physically rotating dual bandTx/Rx antenna element 3620 of sub-UTM 3610 by 90 degrees clockwise. Dualband Tx/Rx antenna element 3624 of sub-UTM 3614 is formed by physicallyrotating dual band Tx/Rx antenna element 3622 of sub-UTM 3612 by 90degrees clockwise. Furthermore, dual band Tx/Rx antenna element 3626 ofsub-UTM 3616 is formed by physically rotating dual band Tx/Rx antennaelement 3624 of sub-UTM 3614 by 90 degrees clockwise. Combined, sub-UTM3610, sub_(~)UTM 3612, sub-UTM 3614, sub-UTM 3616 form a single UTM. Asused herein, a sub-UTM is the smallest form of a PCB used as a buildingblock for realizing a UTM.

As shown herein, the center to center spacing d_(Rx) 3650 is equal tod_(Rx) 3655 of any 2 neighboring Rx antenna elements. Similarly d_(Tx)3660 is equal to d_(Tx) 3665 of any two neighboring Tx antenna elements:wherein d_(Tx) is different than d_(Rx), allowing for independent beamscanning in the Tx frequency and Rx frequency simultaneously.

FIG. 37 depicts a UTP 3700 comprised of UTM 3710, UTM 3720, UTM 3730,and UTM 3740. UTM 3710 may be duplicated horizontally and/or verticallyto create a UTP of any size of n×n UTMs, where n is an integer,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 38 depicts a top view of UTP 3800 comprised of UTM 3810, UTM 3820,UTM 3830, and UTM 3840. Each of the UTM 3810, UTM 3820, UTM 3830, andUTM 3840 are identical UTMs. UTM 3810 may be duplicated horizontallyand/or vertically to create a UTP of any size of n×n UTMs, where n is aninteger, according to some embodiments. Furthermore, each UTM consistsof Tx/Rx configuration 1 3870, Tx/Rx configuration 2 3880, Tx/Rxconfiguration 3 3890. Similar to 3600, each of the UTM 3810, UTM 3820,UTM 3830, and UTM 38340 employ a center to center spacing Rx spacing3855 that is identical for any 2 neighboring Rx antenna elements.Similarly a center to center spacing Tx spacing 3850 of any twoneighboring Tx antenna elements is identical; wherein Rx spacing isdifferent from Tx spacing, allowing for independent beam scanning in theTx frequency and Rx frequency simultaneously.

FIG. 39 depicts a perspective view of UTP 3900. As shown, the UTP 3900comprises a dielectric group 2 3930 disposed above dielectric group 13920. In addition, UTP 3900 comprises a main ground plane 3910,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 40 depicts a top view of UTP 4000 comprised of UTM 4010, UTM 4020,UTM 4030, and UTM 4040. Each of the UTM 4010, UTM 4020, UTM 4030, andUTM 4040 are identical UTMs. UTM 4010 may be duplicated horizontallyand/or vertically to create a UTP of any size of n×n UTMs, where n is aninteger, according to some embodiments. Furthermore, each UTM consistsof Tx/Rx configuration 1 4050, Tx/Rx configuration 2 40550, Rxconfiguration 4060. Similar to 3600, each of the UTM 4010, UTM 4020, UTM4030, and UTM 4040 employ equal Rx spacing of any two neighboring Rxantenna elements and equal Tx spacing of any two neighboring Tx antennaelements with the exception of the removed Tx antenna neigboringelement; wherein Rx spacing is different from Tx spacing, allowing forindependent beam scanning in the Tx frequency and Rx frequencysimultaneously. Furthermore, each of the UTM 4010, UTM 4020, UTM 4030,and UTM 4040 have 1 less Tx antenna element when compared to UTM 3600and/or UTM 3800, resulting in an even number of Tx antennas per UTM,according to some embodiments. An even number of Tx antenna elementsrequires an even number of RFIC channels which may be more commerciallyavailable than an odd number of RFIC channels; albeit at the expense ofless Tx antenna radiation. In some embodiments, this is referred to asarray thinning. The UTP gain is related directly to the area of theilluminated aperture, the gain of the UTP will be reduced in approximateproportion to the fraction of the elements removed. However, the UTPbeamwidth is related to the largest dimension of the single-panel, theremoval of elements does not significantly change its beamwidth. Thisprocedure can make it possible to build a highly directive array withreduced gain at a lower cost of a filled array.

FIG. 41 depicts a UTM 4100 comprised of four sub-UTMs utilizing SQRmethod, according to some embodiments. As shown, sub-UTM 4120 is formedby physically rotating sub-UTM 4110 by 90 degrees clockwise. Sub-UTM4130 is formed by physically rotating sub-UTM 4120 by 90 degreesclockwise. Sub-UTM 4140 is formed by physically rotating sub-UTM 4130 by90 degrees clockwise. Combined, sub-UTM 4110, sub-UTM 4120, UTM 4130,and sub-UTM 4140 form a single UTM. As used herein, a sub-UTM is thesmallest form of a PCB used as a building block for realizing a UTM. Asshown, each of the sub-UTM 4110, sub-UTM 4120, UTM 4130, and sub-UTM4140 comprises eight Tx antenna elements. Similar to that shown in 4000,array thinning is employed in order to create an even number of Txantenna elements to interface an even number of RFIC channels, which maybe more commercially available.

FIG. 42 depicts a UTP 4200, according to some embodiments. As shown, UTP4200 comprises 2 UTM configurations: Tx/Rx UTM 4210 and Tx UTM 4220. Asshown, Tx UTM 4220 uses Tx antenna elements only. The Tx UTMs may beplaced around the Tx/Rx UTMs. The additional Tx UTMs may increase theEIRP of the full-duplex UTP. In other embodiments, Tx/Rx UTMs may beplaced around the Tx UTMs or in a side-by-side fashion.

FIG. 43 depicts a UTP 4300, according to some embodiments. As shown, UTP4300 comprises 2 UTM configurations: Tx/Rx UTM 4310 and Rx UTM 4320. Asshown, Rx UTM 4320 uses Rx antenna elements only. The Rx UTMs can beadded around the Tx/Rx UTMs. The additional Rx UTMs may increase the G/Tof the full-duplex UTP. In other embodiments, Tx/Rx UTMs may be placedaround the Rx UTMs or in a side-by-side fashion.

FIG. 44 depicts the use of multi-UTP, according to some embodiments. Asshown, Mutli-UTP 4400 comprises UTP with Tx/Rx UTMs 4410 and UTP withTx/Rx UTMs 4420 are spatially distributed using a vertical offset 4420and a horizontal offset 4425.

FIG. 45 depicts the use of multi-UTP, according to some embodiments. Asshown, Mutli-UTP 4500 comprises UTP with Tx/Rx UTMs 4510 and UTP with RxUTMs 4520 are spatially distributed using a vertical offset 4520 and ahorizontal offset 4525.

FIG. 46 depicts using a multi-UTP 4600 on an airplane fuselage (body)4620. As shown, UTP 4630 and UTP 4635 are placed in two differentlocations on the fuselage. in some embodiments, airplanes and otherplatforms may limit the size of a single UTP that they can host. Thismethod of using a multi-UTP would help solve the challenge of sizelimitation when applied to a UTP. Furthermore, positioning UTP2 4635 ata different location than UTP1 4630 creates better scan performance atlow elevation angles.

FIG. 47 depicts a block diagram illustrating an example modulararchitecture of an Full-Duplex Single-Panel User Terminal (or antennasystem) 4700 formed with multiple UTMs 4710, according to someimplementations. More specifically, the example of FIG. 47 illustratesthe antenna system 4700 formed with multiple UTMs 4710. The antennasystem panel 4700 can be any one of the antenna panels shown anddiscussed with reference to FIG. 1 (e.g., full-duplex single-panel userterminal 130), although alternative configurations are possible.Furthermore, although the UTMs 4710 are primarily shown with hexagonalform factors herein, it is appreciated that other form factors, e.g.,triangular, square, rectangular, circular, etc., including combinationsor variations thereof are also possible.

FIG. 48 depicts a block diagram illustrating an example UTM, controlcircuit, and amplitude adjustment buffers, according to someimplementations. Here, control circuit 4810 is configured to send a Txdigital control signal 4830 to Tx RFICs 4822A to 48221 of UTM 4820 andto send an Rx digital control signal 4832 to Rx RFICs 4823A to 4823D.The Tx digital control signal is routed along a daisy-chain of the TxRFICs, traveling in a serial manner from Tx RFIC 4822A to Tx RFIC 4822B,etc, and making its way to the last Tx RFIC 4822I of the UTM 4820. TheRx digital control signal is routed along a daisy-chain of the Rx RFICs,traveling in a serial manner from Rx RFIC 4823A to Rx RFIC 4823B, etc,and making its way to the last Rx RFIC 4823D of the UTM 4820. The Txdigital control signal is configured to control the Tx RFICs to alter anamplitude and phase of an outgoing signal towards a satellite. The Rxdigital control signal is configured to control the Rx RFICs to alter anamplitude and phase of incoming analog signal from a satellite.

In some embodiments, the Tx digital control signal and the Rx digitalcontrol signal enables the turning ON/OFF of the Tx RFICs and Rx RFICs,respectively.

In other embodiments, not shown, the Tx digital control signal and theRx digital control signal include: clock data, serial data, paralleldata, latch, and chip select.

Some embodiments reduce costs and area required for routing by passingdigital control signals along a daisy-chain of RFICs, rather than toroute control signals from control circuitry to each of the RFICs. Inparticular, in some embodiments, digital control signals, and power arepassed between modules using input and output buffers of UTM 4820, suchas buffers 4824, 4825, 4826 and 4827 of FIG. 48 . The buffers areconfigured to correct degradation of a digital control signal passedfrom one RFIC to another RFIC in the daisy chain. In such a scenario,system costs can be further reduced by exploiting the daisy-chainconcept to use just one controller circuit to control multiple RFICs inthe daisy-chain. A user device 4805 is connected to the controllercircuit 4810. The user device can be a personal computer, modem, networkadapter, or another form of an electronic device that controls thecontroller circuit.

In some embodiments, control circuit 4810 comprises control circuitoutput buffers 4812 and 4814 and control circuit input buffers 4816 and4818. The control circuit output buffers are configured to correctdegradation of a digital control signal passed from the control circuitto the UTM and the control input buffers are configured to correctdegradation of a digital control signal passed from the UTM to thecontrol circuit.

In some embodiments, control circuit 4810 monitors the health of thesystem by monitoring one or more signal characteristics of the returnedTx digital control signal 4834 and returned Rx digital control signal4836.

UTM 4820 is an example of a UTM utilizing a square equal number of Txantenna elements and Rx antenna elements respectively (not shown) using9 Tx RFICs and 4 Rx RFICs, supporting a Tx frequency to Rx frequencyratio of 3:2. Note that the 9:4 ratio is that of a square configuration

In some embodiments each Tx RFIC has 8 Tx channels and each Rx RFIC has8 channels. UTM 4820 therefore can support 72 Tx channels and 32 Rxchannels.

As used herein, the control circuit may also be referred to as controlboard or controller board.

FIG. 49 depicts a block diagram illustrating an example control circuitand four UTMs connected in a daisy chain for sending digital controlsignals from one UTM to another and back to the control circuit Asshown, system 4900 includes UTM 1 4930, UTM 2 4940, UTM 3 4950, and UTM4 4960, each of which contains a daisy chain of 9 Tx RFICs and a daisychain of 4 Rx RFICs in the respective UTM, similarto FIG. 48 . In suchan embodiment, control circuit 4910 is connected to provide a Tx digitalcontrol signal 4913 to UTM 1 4930 and an Rx digital control signal 4915to UTM 1 4930, and to receive a returned Tx digital control signal 4917from UTM 4 4960 and an Rx returned digital control 4915 signal from UTM4960. Also shown, each of the Tx digital control signal and Rx digitalcontrol signal, once completing a daisy chain within UTM 1, will gothrough a buffer at the output of UTM 1, before proceeding to an inputbuffer on UTM 2. The Tx digital control signal and the Rx digitalcontrol signal continue in a daisy chain of their respective Tx RFIC andRx RFICs within UTM 2 until reaching the output buffers of UTM 2. Bydaisy chaining RFICs and UTMs including buffers, a digital controlsignal can travel any number of UTMs then return to a control circuit.

In other embodiments the Tx digital control signal and the Rx digitalcontrol signal are returned to the control circuit via the buffers ofUTM1. In a similar way, UTM2 returns a separate Tx digital return signaland a separate Rx digital return signal via UTM2 buffers, and so on.

In other embodiments, UTM1, UTM2, UTM3, and UTM4 include a plurality ofTx RFICs and Rx RFICs connected in a daisy chain.

In some embodiments, the returned Tx digital control signal and thereturned Rx digital control signal return monitoring data such as TxRFIC RF power output level, Tx RFIC and Rx RFIC temperatures, and TxRFIC and Rx RFIC register settings, enabling the controller to outputsuch data to a user interface 4905.

It will be appreciated that the present disclosure may include any oneand up to all of the following examples.

Example 1. A full-duplex User Terminal Panel (UTP) comprising: one ormore User Terminal Modules (UTM)s, each UTM comprising: two or more unitcells, each unit cell comprising: a transmit (Tx) antenna element,comprising a plurality of Tx antenna element ports; a receive (Rx)antenna element, comprising a plurality of Rx antenna element ports;wherein a center of a first Tx antenna element of a first unit cell hasa distance x to a center of a first Tx antenna element of a second unitcell, wherein each of the Tx antenna elements transmit via a firstfrequency range, and each of the Rx antenna elements receive via asecond frequency range, the first frequency range being different thanthe second frequency range; and wherein a center of a first Rx antennaelement of the first unit cell has a same distance to a center of afirst Rx antenna element of the second unit cell, and wherein thedistance x is a value such that a grating lobe-free scanning in anelevation plane at the second frequency range is achieved; at least oneTx radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) configured to transmit aradio frequency (RF) signal, the Tx RFIC comprising one or more Txchannels, each of the Tx channels connected individually to one of theplurality of Tx antenna element ports; and at least one Rx RFICconfigured to receive an RF signal, the Rx RFIC comprising one or moreRx channels, each of the Rx channels connected individually to one ofthe plurality of Rx antenna element ports.

Example 2. The full-duplex UTP of Example 1, wherein for an nth unitcell, the center of the nth unit cell has the distance x to a center ofan adjacent unit cell.

Example 3. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 1-2, whereinadjacent Tx antenna elements and Rx antenna elements are positioned fromeach other to provide an RF isolation between the plurality of the Txantenna ports and the plurality of the Rx antenna ports.

Example 4. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 1-3, wherein theRF isolation is achieved via a Tx antenna element keepout region and aRx antenna element keepout region, the Tx antenna element keepout regiondisposed about a periphery of the Tx antenna element, and the Rx antennaelement keepout region disposed about a periphery of the Rx antennaelement.

Example 5. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 1-4, wherein theTx antenna element keepout region comprises a buffer zone around the Txantenna element, and wherein the Rx antenna element keepout regioncomprises a buffer zone around the Rx antenna element.

Example 6. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 1-5, wherein anelectric field of the Rx antenna element does not overlap with thekeepout region of the Tx antenna element, and wherein an electric fieldof the Tx antenna element does not overlap with the keepout region ofthe Rx antenna element.

Example 7. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 1-6, wherein eachTx antenna element is spaced in relationship to a neighboring Rx antennaelement such that the Tx antenna element avoids signal coupling with theneighboring Rx antenna elements.

Example 8. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 1-7, wherein theTx antenna element is positioned diagonally in relationship to the Rxantenna element.

Example 9. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 1-8, wherein theTx antenna element is positioned above the Rx antenna element.

Example 10. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 1-9, wherein eachof the Tx antenna elements have a common Tx polarization, and each ofthe Rx antenna elements have a common Rx polarization, the common Txpolarization of the Tx antenna elements being orthogonal to the commonRx polarization of the Rx antenna elements.

Example 11. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 1-10, wherein theTx antenna element includes a first Tx antenna element port, and the Rxantenna element includes a first Rx antenna element port, the first Txantenna element port and the first Rx antenna element port having afirst orthogonal orientation.

Example 12. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 1-11, wherein theTx antenna element includes a second Tx antenna element port, and the Rxantenna element includes a second Rx antenna element port, the second Txantenna element port and the second Rx antenna element port having asecond orthogonal orientation different than the first orthogonalorientation.

Example 13. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 1-12, furthercomprising: a Rx filter connected to one channel of the Rx RFIC andconnected to the Rx antenna element port, wherein the Rx filter providesRF signal isolation between the Rx antenna element port and the Txantenna element port.

Example 14. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 1-13, furthercomprising: a Tx filter connected to one channel of the Tx RFIC andconnected to the Tx antenna element port, wherein the Tx filter providesRF signal isolation between the Tx antenna element port and the Rxantenna element port.

Example 15. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 1-14, wherein theTx RFIC is configured to alter, by each of the Tx RFIC channels, a phaseof an outgoing analog signal to each of the one or more Tx antennaelement ports; wherein the Rx RFIC is configured to alter, by each ofthe Rx RFIC channels, a phase of an incoming analog signal to each ofthe one or more Rx antenna element ports; and wherein the altering ofthe phase of the outgoing analog signal and the altering of the phase ofthe incoming analog signal provides a polarization control of the UTP.

Example 16. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 1-15, wherein theTx antenna element has two Tx antenna element ports, each of the two Txantenna element ports connected to a channel of the Tx RFIC, and whereinthe Rx antenna element has two Rx antenna element ports, each of the twoRx antenna element ports connected to a channel of the Rx RFIC, therebyenabling full polarization control of the common Tx polarization and thecommon Rx polarization.

Example 17. The full-duplex of any one of Examples 1-16, wherein the Txantenna element has one Tx antenna element port connected to a channelof the Tx RFIC and the Rx antenna element has one Rx antenna elementport connected to a channel of the Rx RFIC.

Example 18. The full-duplex of any one of Examples 1-17, wherein the Txantenna element has two Tx antenna element ports combined via amicrowave combiner circuit connected to a channel of the Tx RFIC, andwherein the Rx antenna element has two Rx antenna element ports combinedvia a microwave combiner circuit connected to a channel of the Rx RFIC.

Example 19. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 1-18, wherein thecommon Tx polarization is a circular polarization and the common Rxpolarization is a circular polarization.

Example 20. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 1-19, whereinfour unit cells are configured in a quadrant such that each of the fourunit cells is rotated 90 degrees from each other in a clockwise manner.

Example 21. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 1-20, wherein thecommon Tx polarization is a Right-Hand circular polarization (RHCP) andthe Rx common polarization is a Left-Hand circular polarization (LHCP).

Example 22. A full-duplex User Terminal Panel (UTP) comprising: one ormore User Terminal Modules (UTM)s, each UTM comprising: a plurality ofTx antenna elements, each of the Tx antenna elements spaced apart fromone another by a distance dTx; a plurality of Rx antenna elements, eachof the Rx antenna elements spaced apart from one another by a distancedRx, wherein the distance dRx is greater than the distance dTx; whereinthe Tx antenna elements are spaced according to a Tx lattice dTx, andthe Rx antenna elements are spaced according to an Rx lattice dRx;wherein the Tx lattice dTx spacing arrangement provides gratinglobe-free scanning in an elevation plane at a Tx frequency range; andwherein the Rx lattice dRx spacing arrangement provides gratinglobe-free scanning in an elevation plane at a Rx frequency range; and atleast one Tx radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) configured totransmit a radio frequency (RF) signal, the Tx RFIC comprising one ormore Tx channels, each of the Tx channels connected individually to oneof the plurality of Tx antenna element ports; and at least one Rx RFICconfigured to receive an RF signal, the Rx RFIC comprising one or moreRx channels, each of the Rx channels connected individually to one ofthe plurality of Rx antenna element ports.

Example 23. The full-duplex UTP of Example 22, wherein the UTM comprisesmore Tx antenna elements than Rx antenna elements.

Example 24. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 22-23, whereinthe UTM comprises an odd number of Tx antenna elements, and an evennumber of Rx antenna elements.

Example 25. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 22-24, whereinthe UTM comprises nine Tx antenna elements, and four Rx antennaelements.

Example 26. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 22-25, whereinthe UTM comprises eight Tx antenna elements each having two Tx antennaelement ports, and four Rx antenna elements each having two Rx antennaelement ports.

Example 27. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 22-26, whereinthe UTM comprises two Tx RFICs each having eight Tx channels, and one RxRFIC having eight Rx channels.

Example 28. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 22-27, whereinthe UTM comprises a first dielectric layer and second dielectric layer,the Tx antenna elements positioned on the first dielectric layer and theRx antenna elements positioned on the second dielectric layer.

Example 29. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 22-28,comprising: a first configuration comprised of an Rx antenna element andfour Tx antenna elements; a second configuration comprised of an Rxantenna element and an overlapping Tx antenna element; and a thirdconfiguration comprised of an Rx antenna element and two Tx antennaelements.

Example 30. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 22-29, whereineach of the Tx antenna elements have a common polarization, and each ofthe Rx antenna elements have a common polarization, the commonpolarization of the Tx antenna elements being orthogonal to the commonpolarization of the Rx antenna elements.

Example 31. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 22-30, whereineach of the Tx antenna elements have a common polarization, and each ofthe Rx antenna elements have a common polarization, the commonpolarization of the Tx antenna elements being orthogonal to the commonpolarization of the Rx antenna elements.

Example 32. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 22-31, whereinthe Tx antenna element includes a first Tx antenna element pon, and theRx antenna element includes a first Rx antenna element port, the firstTx antenna element port and the first Rx antenna element port having afirst orthogonal orientation.

Example 33. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 22-32, furthercomprising: a Rx filter connected to one channel of the Rx RFIC andconnected to the Rx antenna element port, wherein the Rx filter providesRF signal isolation between the Rx antenna element port and the Txantenna element port.

Example 34. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 22-33, furthercomprising: a Tx filter connected to one channel of the Tx RFIC andconnected to the Tx antenna element port, wherein the Tx filter providesRF signal isolation between the Tx antenna element port and the Rxantenna element port.

Example 35. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 22-34, whereinadjacent Tx antenna elements and Rx antenna elements are positioned fromeach other to provide an RF isolation between the plurality of the Txantenna ports and the plurality of the Rx antenna ports; and wherein theRF isolation is achieved via a Tx antenna element keepout region and aRx antenna element keepout region, the Tx antenna element keepout regiondisposed about a periphery of the Tx antenna element, and the Rx antennaelement keepout region disposed about a periphery of the Rx antennaelement.

Example 36. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 22-35, whereinthe Tx RFIC is configured to alter, by each of the Tx RFIC channels, aphase of an outgoing analog signal to each of the one or more Tx antennaelement ports; wherein the Rx RFIC is configured to alter, by each ofthe Rx RFIC channels, a phase of an incoming analog signal to each ofthe one or more Rx antenna element ports; and wherein the altering ofthe phase of the outgoing analog signal and the altering of the phase ofthe incoming analog signal provides a polarization control of the UTP.

Example 37. A full-duplex User Terminal Panel (UTP) comprising: one ormore UTMs, each UTM comprising 4 sub-UTMs each sub-UTM comprising: aplurality of Tx antenna elements, each of the Tx antenna elements spacedapart from one another by a distance dTx; a plurality of Rx antennaelements, each of the Rx antenna elements spaced apart from one anotherby a distance dRx, wherein the distance dRx is greater than the distancedTx; wherein the Tx antenna elements are spaced according to a Txlattice dTx, and the Rx antenna elements are spaced according to an Rxlattice dRx; wherein the Tx lattice dTx spacing arrangement providesgrating lobe-free scanning in an elevation plane at a Tx frequency; andwherein the Rx lattice dRx spacing arrangement provides gratinglobe-free scanning in an elevation plane at a Rx frequency; and at leastone Tx radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) configured to transmita radio frequency (RF) signal, the Tx RFIC comprising one or more Txchannels, each of the Tx channels connected individually to one of theplurality of Tx antenna element ports; and at least one Rx RFICconfigured to receive an RF signal, the Rx RFIC comprising one or moreRx channels, each of the Rx channels connected individually to one ofthe plurality of Rx antenna element ports; wherein the sub-UTMs areconfigured in a quadrant such that each sub-UTM is rotated 90 degreesfrom each other in a clockwise manner.

Example 38. The full-duplex UTP of Example 37, comprising multiple UTMsin at least an array of four UTMs by four UTMs.

Example 39. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 37-38, whereinthe sub-UTM has a square side equal to a maximum of (M × dTx,N × dRx),where M/N is a ratio of a Tx frequency to a Rx frequency.

Example 40. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 37-39,comprising: a first configuration comprised of a single band Tx antennaelement; and a second configuration comprised of a dual band Tx antennaelement and an Rx antenna element overlapping the Tx antenna element.

Example 41. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 37-40, furthercomprising: one or more peripheral UTMs including a plurality of only Txantenna elements.

Example 42. The full-duplex UTP of claim 37, comprising: one or moreperipheral UTMs including a plurality of only Rx antenna elements.

Example 43. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 37-41, whereineach of the Tx antenna elements have a common polarization, and each ofthe Rx antenna elements have a common polarization, the commonpolarization of the Tx antenna elements being orthogonal to the commonpolarization of the Rx antenna elements.

Example 44. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 37-43, whereineach of the Tx antenna elements have a common polarization, and each ofthe Rx antenna elements have a common polarization, the commonpolarization of the Tx antenna elements being orthogonal to the commonpolarization of the Rx antenna elements.

Example 45. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 37-34, whereinthe Tx antenna element includes a first Tx antenna element port, and theRx antenna element includes a first Rx antenna element port, the firstTx antenna element port and the first Rx antenna element port having afirst orthogonal orientation.

Example 46. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 37-45, furthercomprising:

a Rx filter connected to one channel of the Rx RFIC and connected to theRx antenna element port, wherein the Rx filter provides RF signalisolation between the Rx antenna element port and the Tx antenna elementport.

Example 47. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 37-46, furthercomprising:

a Tx filter connected to one channel of the Tx RFIC and connected to theTx antenna element port, wherein the Tx filter provides RF signalisolation between the Tx antenna element port and the Rx antenna elementport.

Example 48. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 37-47, whereinadjacent Tx antenna elements and Rx antenna elements are positioned fromeach other to provide an RF isolation between the plurality of the Txantenna ports and the plurality of the Rx antenna ports; and wherein theRF isolation is achieved via a Tx antenna element keepout region and aRx antenna element keepout region, the Tx antenna element keepout regiondisposed about a periphery of the Tx antenna element, and the Rx antennaelement keepout region disposed about a periphery of the Rx antennaelement.

Example 49. The full-duplex UTP of any one of Examples 37-48, whereinthe Tx RFIC is configured to alter, by each of the Tx RFIC channels, aphase of an outgoing analog signal to each of the one or more Tx antennaelement ports; wherein the Rx RFIC is configured to alter, by each ofthe Rx RFIC channels, a phase of an incoming analog signal to each ofthe one or more Rx antenna element ports; and wherein the altering ofthe phase of the outgoing analog signal and the altering of the phase ofthe incoming analog signal provides a polarization control of the UTP.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method, or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

The included descriptions and figures depict specific embodiments toteach those skilled in the art how to make and use the best mode. Forthe purpose of teaching inventive principles, some conventional aspectshave been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art willappreciate variations from these embodiments that fall within the scopeof the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate thatthe features described above may be combined in various ways to formmultiple embodiments. As a result, the invention is not limited to thespecific embodiments described above, but only by the claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is: 1-21. (canceled)
 22. A full-duplex User TerminalPanel (UTP} comprising: one or more User Terminal Modules (UTM)s, eachUTM comprising: two or more unit cells, each unit cell comprising: atransmit (Tx) antenna element, comprising a plurality of Tx antennaelement ports; a receive (Rx) antenna element, comprising a plurality ofRx antenna element ports; wherein a center of a first Tx antenna elementof a first unit cell has a distance x to a center of a first Tx antennaelement of a second unit cell; wherein, each of the Tx antenna elementstransmit via a first frequency range, and each of the Rx antennaelements receive via a second frequency range., the first frequencyrange being different than the second frequency range; and wherein acenter of a first Rx antenna element of the first unit cell has a samedistance to a center of a first Rx antenna element of the second unitcell, and wherein the distance x is a value such that a gratinglobe-free scanning in an elevation plane at the second frequency rangeis achieved; at least one Tx radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal, the Tx RFICcomprising one or more Tx channels, each of the Tx channels connectedindividually to one of the plurality of Tx antenna element ports: and atleast one Rx RFIC configured to receive an RF signal, the Rx RFICcomprising one or more Rx channels, each of the Rx channels connectedindividually to one of the plurality of Rx antenna element ports.